A 17-year-old teen whose family was homeless at the start of high school is set to graduate as the valedictorian of her class.
Jasmine Mazard-Larry, High School Valedictorian With 8.07 GPA Overcomes Several Challenges, Including Losing Her Home In Fire
Jasmine's story is one of resilience and determination. In 2018, her family lost their home and all their possessions in a fire.

Four years later, she's graduating as the valedictorian of her class with an 8.07-grade point average.
"I think going through all of this has led me to want to persevere and want to show little girls or boys my age that they can do it too," the 17-year-old Tampa resident said.
As a dedicated academic student, Mazard-Larry enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual credit courses, and the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education, which all helped to boost her GPA.
Before she receives her high school diploma next week from Patel High School, she will receive an associate's degree from a local community college.
She also took an interest in several extracurricular activities, including the student government association, student council, speech and debate team, and art club.
"She's really taken the initiative to go above and beyond. She had this goal of being top in her class, and ultimately she met it." Patel High School Principal Marlee Strawn explained.
Four years ago, when her family lost their home in a fire.

Her mother Nidta Mazard was nine months pregnant at the time and Mazard-Larry's father was severely injured from the fire.

Her baby brother Marlo was born soon after.
There were severe complications; her mother, Nidta, almost lost her own life during the birth.
"Marlo is my motivation," she said about her little brother.
"I want to be a role model for him. After my mother and father almost passed away, seeing my brother allowed me to get that drive."
Her mother Nidta Mazard said: "And here Jasmine, in the midst of it all, her behavior could have changed because of a lot of things that she was already going through."
"But instead, she used that as a light to help me because I almost died giving birth to my son."
"She's been my light. She's been my rock. I just love her so much because she's inspired me to be a better mother and a better person." Mazard continued.
Marlee Strawn recalled the tenacity Mazard-Larry had after the fire.

"She dealt with a really difficult situation, and she didn't allow it to stop her from meeting her goals. I think that's really remarkable, and she was just very goal-driven from day one." the principal said.
According to Mazard-Larry, her workload has kept her busy but also productive.
"I think that's very important as I grow older to learn how to balance work life, personal life, watching my brother when my mom's working and just helping around." she said.
Despite her impressive accomplishments, Mazard-Larry's journey was not without obstacles. She had to navigate ADHD and hearing loss, which at first she saw as weaknesses.
"I was a little embarrassed," she said. "I didn't really talk about it that much to a lot of people."
Looking back on her academic journey, Mazard-Larry said she realizes that having those disabilities helped her persevere and learn resilience.
"They're not setbacks. They allowed me to be who I am today." she said.
Mazard-Larry said she has plans to attend college and hopes to become a doctor.
"We all have our own story. There's the good and the bad. But don't overlook the bad because it makes you who you are. In 20 or 10 years from now, you're going to look back and be like, I did that. I conquered all of these obstacles, and here I am today." she said.